Interview of Alfred Gusenbauer

21 June 2005

1. What are the prospects for the SPÖ at the next national elections?

Alfred Gusenbauer: Whenever during the last three years elections – on local or regional level, in enterprises or in professional associations – were held, SPOe was the big winner. With three more important regional elections scheduled for autumn and promising polls for them, we are confident that there is more of the same to come.

For the national elections to be held until October 2006 therefore we see a good chance to become the major party in parliament. Given the need for any party to find a partner to govern Austria, our clear aim is to achieve such a strength that no majority can be built without us.

2. What does the European Union need to do following the 'no' votes on the European Consititution in France and The Netherlands?

Alfred Gusenbauer: EU has to consider a change of its policies. Commission and Council have followed a policy of neo-liberal orientation, which was clearly rejected at those referenda. All institutional deliberations are second to one main political topic: European policy has to care for innovations, jobs and social welfare.

Additionally EU has clearly to decide on more – not less – integration. Only a political Union will be able to tackle the task ahead of us. This also would mean a concentration on those activities and investments which could seriously contribute to Europe’s future. Science, education, research and investment into Europe’s infrastructure should therefore become a “core business” of EU. Funding the large agricultural industries is definitely no such investment into Europe’s future.

And when deepening the Union is the main aim, enlargement logically cannot go on at the same speed. We first have to develop methods – and institutions – to manage this Europe of 25, as it was for instance intended by the constitutional treaty before new members can join. And we clearly have to state that there can be no rebate on the standards EU requires from all of its members.

3. How do you see the role of the Party of European Socialists in today's Europe?

Alfred Gusenbauer: PES member-parties stand for those values the European citizens are evidently longing for: Social justice, preserving and even enlarging the successful European model of a welfare society. We must clearly define our political position and explain it to the European citizens. Given the different conditions in the respective member-states this will be no easy task. But only if we are able to act upon a common platform, not only formally agreed between the member-parties, but wholeheartedly embraced by millions of followers, party-members and militants, we really can change Europe to the better.